Finally, some great news to report.
A person (note: no longer a “person required to register as a sex offender”) has been ordered removed from the Florida Sex Offender Registry.
Florida Statue 943.0435(11) contains a provision that says, an individual “shall be considered for removal of the requirement to register as a sexual offender” if they meet certain requirements, including; it being at least 25 years (formerly 20) since they were released from any sanction, have not been arrested for any other crimes, and meet a qualifying offense (not limited to Romeo and Juliet).
Attorney Ron Kleiner was successful in obtaining this relief on behalf of one of his clients, who will now become a “person” again!
If you feel you might qualify for relief under this provision contact your attorney, or for more information write to [email protected]
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
seems my last post didnt go threw but let me ask again so how dose one go about getting the Transcripts to theses cases that have been won or lost so we have some idea to what we are in for I would love to be off the registry but I can find no information on any one that has been removed from it here in Florida to my understanding it should be public record but I cant find anything now with covid 19 cant go to the courts thanks for any info you can give
if been convicted of sexual battery year of 1997 under age 12 qualify for removal from sex offender registry.
if you’ve been off probation and all sanctions for 20+ years, speak to an attorney.
so how dose one go about getting the Transcripts to theses cases that have been won or lost so we have some idea to what we are in for I would love to be off the registry but I can find no information on any one that has been removed from it here in Florida to my understanding it should be public record but I cant find anything now with covid 19 cant go to the courts thanks for any info you can give
Don-
I will give you an amazing lawyer’s name. Maybe they can help you?
Monroe & King
(904) 334-9300
They’re in Jacksonville, but they are amazing guys. Pricey. But amazing.
FAC Legal, I recall we were struggling to identify a NE FL attorney to add to the FAC attorney referral list.
When someone makes a recommendation like this, what do we normally do to investigate whether they’re suitable? And, would we need to wait for them to reach out to us?
If you shoot their contact information to [email protected] we can reach out. We definitely need more resources. We generally just want to make sure they are competent and sympathetic to our cause.
Unfortunately, many attorneys don’t like to take these cases because (a) bias, or (b) they worry it will taint their reputation before judges and other attorneys they will come before. Those that do, need to know the Statutes, ordinances and Federal laws inside and out, plus current case law, it’s a lot to keep up on. We also need people who recognize our population is generally financially strapped and can work with those who can’t always afford to pay expensive hourly fees.
@Floridaactioncommittee,
Yes we found that to be the case everywhere we turned. Luckily, these guys actually worked for DA in the beginning of their careers and eventually became defense lawyers because of how twisted the law is. They’re both unbelievably amazing guys. And at least for us, we’re very sympathetic to our troubles.
The only problem is cost. They were not cheap. Mainly because they’re that good. I will send their details to you!
FAC, very well said, as USUAL! KUDDOS…
Just want to stress your one comment AND to expound on it..
“taint their reputation before judges and other”
THIS CANNOT BE SAID ENOUGH!…Around their ‘Water Cooler’, they tend to drink the same Kool-Aid, scared to really make a change, because when MORE stay away from this ‘Water Cooler’, Change will begin to REAR its MANY Happy Faces!
And, the FULL understanding and application of STATUTORY , FEDERAL, et. al Laws, is PARAMOUNT! They NEED TO KNOW EXPRESSLY the full extent of laws, ordinances, Precedent cases, etc, etc, etc and how they are interrelated……..
They MUST BE A SELF-MOTIVATED and be able to go home at night without retribution from their significant other…’They’ all talk to their significant others and most have children that they are still feeding!
Justiceisgone, that’s great info, please share this lawyer’s info with FAC’s Legal Committee at [email protected]
It’s nice to know someone was able to get off it. We’re leaving the state because we never knew just how horrible this state was against sex offenders. And honestly never would have known, had we not been given wrong information. Now my husband is facing 2 felony charges, for failing to register. Our county has their fingers up their butts and my husband NEVER should have registered. His charges were OUT of the country AND they were for items that ARE perfectly legal in the US. (Cartoons/anime)
After a 4 yr battle in England, he finally just took their plea because we feared what would happen if he as an American went to trial in the UK. We were scared. But upon returning to the US he was detained at the airport, all his electronics were confiscated and they told him he had to register! We’re learning he may never have had to register. $40,000 Later and he’s facing prison time because he didn’t know the registry was bi-annually! Then they arrested him AGAIN after only 4 months because they said he failed to register…AGAIN!! This county had it out for him and they’re gunning for him HARD. I don’t know how much more he can take. He was just fired over this also. That’s the 5th job to fire him because of all this.
Ohhh….and he used to be an intelligence officer working for DOD/DIA and has been to war 3 times…….🤦🏻♀️
Leaving the state might help with registration requirements but will not help with jobs just fyi. Background checks are done nationally.
It will help with jobs. Plenty of employers who do background checks don’t care much about older crimes, even things as recent as a few years ago. If you have something over 10 years old, I’ve rarely seen anyone who cares.
But what they do care about is the Registries and their business name showing up on a website. Lots of them care about that, but only because of the publicity and nothing else.
But the solution for that can be very easy, depending on your field and the business. What I did was have my own business and they simply hired my business. The added benefit of that was because big government are such scumbags, instead of knowing where I work, they know nothing. All they’ve ever known is that I work for my business. And my business does any kind of work it wants.
Will,
Thank you for that information! We’ve actually discussed that. My husband applied for a business ID and tax permit. He was an intelligence officer. It doesn’t really transfer to the civilian world:(
He did get his CDL, but like you said, no company wants his name under them. So, we considered buying his own truck and going from there.
But he’s not even sure he wants to drive truck. Ugh🤦🏻♀️
Will Allen
You are entirely correct. I had worked for a company for over 20 yrs. over ten of it while on the registry. Never a problem till I was to go work on a job that was a federal contract. The job required background checks. So they would not let me go to work on that job and let me go because of it now being known I was on the registry.
So I started my own company and am doing ok . The people you do business with don’t even need to know your real name.
What a bunch of insanity.
Will,i’m glad you have had such an easy time working. For an overwhelming majority of us, it has not been the easy go of it you describe. Far, far from it. Even McDonald’s will not hire you if you are on a registry in any state at any time. It does not matter how long, why or where. As someone with a masters degree who has been denied work countless times due to my mere presence on the Florida registry, even though I live in NM, even though it was 25 years ago, I can tell you that the process of a background check entails a search of 7 years prior for everything else with sex offender registry having its own section and designation. Even if by some miracle I get a job because some h.r. person doesn’t care or didn’t notice, as I meet people at the job and get to know them, they will eventually/inevitably look me up on google and then they will start gossiping and i will be eventually fired. I just write this for anyone who could be mislead that working while on the registry is really no big deal. For most of us, it is impossible. Though I have had marginal success with temporary jobs working at home alone, I am chronically unemployed as are thousands of others.
I agree with you. It has been so challenging trying to work. I only visited Florida (i never lived there) for a week and they put me on the registry and I can’t get off nor can I afford much legal costs to fight it because it is difficult enough to make money to live/eat.
I could do a little better if I wouldn’t show up on that national registry as I’m past 10 years but the registry is a non-starter. No one with ANY minor charge should visit FL and I have tried to pass the word.
Thank you for your reply. Yes we are actually fighting it on the UK side, and praying to whoever will listen that we win.
Oh and just to relieve your shoulda couldas, if they told him he had to register at the airport and then didn’t, they would have arrested him anyway. And they don’t care about any of that military stuff. If Jesus were walking around and took a leak in the Garden, they’d arrest him too.
You’re absolutely right about that. I have a friend, 18- peed in public at 3am in the middle of nowhere and is now a sex offender. 🤬
There seems to be a lot of confusion about durations of registration before petitions can be filed. I hope this clears things up.
FAC, feel free to add this to your “Resources” list of documents.
For “Sexual Predators:”
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/1997/775.21
(g) A sexual predator must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual predator has had his or her civil rights restored, or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that met the criteria for the sexual predator designation. However, a sexual predator who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 10 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, may petition the criminal division of the circuit court for the purpose of removing the sexual predator designation.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/1998/775.21
(l)A sexual predator must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual predator has had his or her civil rights restored, or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that met the criteria for the sexual predator designation. However, a sexual predator who was designated as a sexual predator by a court before October 1, 1998, and who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 10 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, may petition the criminal division of the circuit court in the circuit in which the sexual predator resides for the purpose of removing the sexual predator designation. A sexual predator who was designated a sexual predator by a court on or after
October 1, 1998, who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 20 years, and who has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court in the circuit in which the sexual predator resides for the purpose of removing the sexual predator designation.
Duration of 20 years added by 98-81
http://laws.flrules.org/1998/81
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2005/775.21
Duration of 30 years added
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2007/775.21
Duration of life added.
For “Sexual Offenders:”
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/1997/943.0435
No duration in statute.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/1998/943.0435
(11) A sexual offender must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual offender has had his or her civil rights restored or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration. However, a sexual offender who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit in which the sexual offender resides for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender.
Duration of life/20 years added by 98-81
http://laws.flrules.org/1998/81
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2007/943.0435
Duration of 25 years added by 2007-209
http://laws.flrules.org/2007/209
I found out recently that I was on the Florida registry list. I have never lived there but visited a sick parent for a few days while on New Jersey probation for a porn charge. I was told to check in with my travel permit and did. I was not obligated to register in NJ and was not on any lists. My NJ probation has ended but the FL registration still shows up. Is there a way to be removed?
Thanks
Contact [email protected]
I was contacted by the scammers Friday. Let me tell you a little more about them. I kept them on the phone for quite a while.
They are either real cops or ex cops or they would not know how to operate the way they do. There are two of them. They both have a southern accent.
They threatened in ways that only cops do . Saying if you don’t cooperate and do everything they say they will order your immediate arrest.
They said the laws were just past where registered persons must appear for new DNA and hair samples and that I was supposed to have appeared on February 4th. When I said I got no notice they said that had happened to a few others. But there was a warrant for my arrest and that he would help me if I would do everything he said . He said I must come to the police station immediately with the bond money. The bond was set at $40,000 so I would have to come up with $4,000 to post bond. I told him no way I could come up with that kind of money. After arguing about it for awhile he said he would do me a favor and see about getting it reduced. So a few minutes later he came back and said they were willing to reduce it to $30,000, so I would have to bring in $3,000 to post bond.
He said according to the new law just passed they no longer take cash or checks. And that they had made arrangements with vanilla one to accept there prepaid cards but that they would also accept Walmart cards. And that I should go to the Walmart and purchase them but they only allow a purchase of 3 $500.00 cards at a time so I should buy three then go to a different cash register and get 3 more.
Also he said I should keep him on the line at all times and if I didn’t he would order an immediate arrest. Also that my arrest had already been posted so don’t tell anyone about it because there are a lot of people wanting to collect the $500.00 reward that is currently out for my arrest.
Also they put a locator on your phone because when I was heading for the police station and got real close to it he got nervous and in a loud voice said where are you going ? I said to the Bank he hung up and I couldn’t get him back.
Though I was 99% sure it was a scam it was very scary for the 1% chance it was real. Also they had a police scanner running in the background. Also it was a local number very close to the police station number. Also after I told them I had three $500.00 cards he asked me to give him the numbers on the back of the card so he could tell the Officer to hold off on my arrest.
There has to be a stop to putting out all our personal information so every scammer in the world can target us. With modern technology to allow your personal information out is nothing short of suicide.
i received the same scam about the dna, i did not let it get too far as they did not have the right city i register in, they were going on outdated info. i told them they were scammers and hung up, they never called back
no one , i repeat no one asks for gift cards. how stupid is anyone that thinks any police department would ask for this.
dna lasts forever, dont let anyone tell you otherwise
HOW did they get your phone #? Phone #’s are not on the registry and NO registered person should ever have a listed #.
The only time I almost got scammed was by HP computer support. MY computer went heywire and they called to help me. Knew my name, Serial # of the computer and everything. I got excited they were helping me when it came to me that #1 my computer was no longer under warranty and #2, even when it was, they NEVER call you. So I said, “Hey I got to take a crap, let me call you back” and I hung up. I immediately called HP support and they verified it was a scam. Luckily I got wise right before they took over my computer.
BTW I finally fixed the issue myself
CherokeeJack
About the phone number . I wondered the same thing. Don’t know. But I’ve heard that all you have to do is google a persons name and you can get tons of private information about them especially with the other information on the registry it’s easy to narrow it down since there are likely other people with the same name as you.
My grand daughter told me she put facial recognition on her phone and googled information and everything about her popped up . Date of birth , school. Education, tickets, address, marriages, divorces, everything.
This is another reason the registry is so insane . If you want to find out about someone the registry is totally useless except for shamming and punishment.
My thoughts are, someone with access to the non public side of the registry leaked it. I do not even have my phone under my name as I have a prepaid phone and you can go onto you account and put Daffy Duck as the owner of the phone if you want.
I of course have to use real name when paying the bill but otherwise phone is owned by John jangle jingle hymer-smitt, his name is my name too.
I agree with you. We get harassed all the time and my local police do most of the harassing.
SAME HERE. We get followed by local police all around town!
I’m in the same situation. A misdemeanor long ago in another state. I followed the law while on vacation in Florida. Now I can’t get off the registry, even though I’m no longer required to register in other states. It is keeping me from getting a good job. Not right!!!
that’s why we’re raising money for a lawsuit
Awesome!! Need a serious class action suit.
I think our membership is confused as to what a “class action” lawsuit is and entails.
You can accomplish the same with a few representative plaintiffs. “Class actions” are unnecessary and actually counter-productive in these civil rights litigations.
Did you ever figure anything out on this? My wife and i are visiting florida this september
My advice (I am not an attorney) is to NOT GO to Florida. If you do and are required by law to register or check in to the county police, then you should double check the law about how long you can stay WITHOUT winding up on the registry. Its like 3 days or less. But I personally wouldn’t trust that state ever again.
it’s 2 days or less and once you get on the registry in Florida, you don’t come off.
What if u get ur civil rights back could I get of the registry that way or I have to wait 20 years too. What about the romeo and juliet case I was 5 or 6 years older then her, she lied about her age
In the state of Florida, unlikely someone with a sex offense is ever going to get their rights back. I know on the voting part at least they already stated ” Ain’t never, ever gonna happen”.
They do not want a bunch of offenders voting to overturn the registries.
Of, for and by the people as long as those people are the ones they hand pick.
I’m registered with a withheld adjudication and I’m registered to vote. Bernie 2020
Has any one else been removed from the Florida Registry and if so is there a place were we can find case law so maybe we can get more lawyers involved in getting some of us of this damn registry
just asking !!!! Thanks
Yes – several have.
It’s statutory law. 943.0435(11)
I guess what I was asking is where can we find the cases that have been granted and how were they worded. The actual court order is what I’m asking about I guess that would be case study ?? Thank you for the quick respond
I have full custody of my 3 year old son. He starts preschool in January. I filed a motion to remove my name off the registry back in 2010 and the motion was granted. My name does not come up on any registry websites I’ve used online. Am I allowed to pick my son up from school? Will i be flagged when my ID Is scanned in the main office? I don’t want to find out the hard way.
If you’re off the registry, then I see no reason your ID would be flagged. And even if it were, that is not related to pickups from school. Which you would still be able to do even if you were still on the registry. No one will credibly allege a danger from a former registrant picking up their own child.
Hi Jacob – I spoke with OTHER Jacob offline – this question concerns IL, not FL.
Your last sentence is so true. And I think that is a message that all 1+ million people directly affected by Registries should repeat ALL the time, every day, everywhere.
There is no one with any credibility that thinks that Registered People need to be excluded from going to schools or living near them. No one. That is especially certain if those same liars also have no problem with shooters being in schools. Or people who have been convicted of DUI. Or anyone who has been convicted of any violent crime. Or drug abuse. Etc.
Further, there is no one with any credibility that thinks Registries are needed or useful. No one. Any informed person who supports Registries has some ulterior, evil motive.
That is the message that needs to be repeated all the time. Legal challenges are not going to get rid of the Registries.
War needs to be waged.
I visited South Carolina back a few years ago and was told to check in with the local authorities even though not on probation. When I saw what you all wrote, I went on their registry to see if I was there and I am not, so at least some states are not adding people just visiting.
In fact, I did not have to go back before I left the state to check out and they never came out to verify where I was staying or anything. Was surprised because it was a hick town Sheriff’s office and figured they would be all over me like white on rice.
I was sentenced back on December of 2003, I was charged with having sex with a person over the age of 12 but under 16. I met this guy who claimed he was 18 fixing to be 19. I was 23 at the time. We went out a couple of times and he would hang out at my house. Well one day as I just got home from shopping there was an officer at my house. He told me he had a warrant for my arrest. When I asked he told me it was for having sex with a minor. I asked him what you mean and he asked if I knew this person and I said yes. That is when he said he is only 15 years old. They took me to jail where I met with detectives and they then told me that he went bragging around that he had sex with an adult and that is when his mom heard and she was the one who pressed charges on me. So long story short I have been on registry since then. What I am wondering is how can I go about getting off of it? I have not caught no other sex crime. The only thing is I have some failed to update registry but that’s all. I will say this I do have 2 kids and I have custody of them and I also don’t have no requirements as far as my living situation. That is one thing the judge back then granted. But I am wanting to do more for my kids and can’t due to being in registry. So please can some one help me out and tell me what to do? I live in Florida
Your best bet is to move to a different state. In Washington where I love you would be removed if you could live 15 years crime free in the community.
Yours is exactly the type of case that Megan’s Law was NOT meant for.
Wether a teenager lied about their age or not, a consensual sexual rendezvous is NOT what started the damn registry and we all need to be taken off the registry for these instances. Period. No argument about knowing better is going to change my mind about this. The registry was started because of a psychopath who kidnapped, raped as murdered a pre-pubescent CHILD. It damn sure wasn’t consensual.
@Karleeta, since you were convicted in 2003, you fall under the 20-year rule. You may beg to be removed 20 years after your probation ended, providing you have not been ARRESTED for ANY felony or MISDEMEANOR since then.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0943/SEC0435.HTM&Title=-%3E2003-%3ECh0943-%3ESection%200435#0943.0435
As you can see, Floriduh makes it nearly impossible to get off the registry, even for an offense DECADES ago. Moving to another state still won’t get you off Floriduh’s registry. Unfortunately, Floriduh HB 1055, which initially had language to change that, has been gutted by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on 2/3/2020. The language survives in the senate companion bill SB 1552. Criminal Justice Committee will discuss that bill on Tuesday 2/11/2020.
Good luck to you!
Karleeta
I also have a question
A 14 yr. old just attacking an 18 yr.old student in New York and stabbed her to death. He immediately was charged as an adult.
Why is it if someone under the age of 18 initiates a sexual relationship with someone over the age of 18 it’s always the fault of the older . The under age is never considered at fault. Even if the older was not aware of the younger ones age.
Can a 14 yr old be responsible for a murder but not a sexual relationship? Make up your mind.
Do those under 18 know murder is wrong but not that sexual activity is. If so who is to blame for that?
David M- YES EXACTLY!!!!
Does anyone know if a technical violation of probation would be considered an arrest that would prevent me from being removed?
I’m guessing I should Sosa’s to an attorney.
Hi everyone. We live in Georgia but my doin was charged in Florida. My son was arrested in 2013. He was in an adult dating site and started talking to a girl that said she was 18 yr old. The girl then said she was 14 yr old despite the fact that the person in the picture was truly 26 yr old. My son sent an in appropiate picture of himself. He broke off the communication and eas suddenly arrested and .charged with 1. Harmful material transmitted to minor and 2. Unlawful use of a two-way transmitter device. The person that was portraying being this girl was actually a male officer that went on this site.
But anyway, we went to court several times and he was found guilty by a jury of “harmful material transmitted to a minor. The other charge was dropped. The judge decided to do adjudication withheld instead of convicting him. He was sentenced to 3 days jail, 5 years probation, sex offender counseling. His 5 yr probation will be up on Sept. 22, 2019 but he was told he would be on the sex offender registry for life.
He’s done everything he was suppose to do. Does his situation sound like one that we could get sealed or expunged. What was the purpose of the adjudication withheld.
as far as i know – sex offenses cant be sealed or expunged.
if he lives in ga i would contact a ga atty – i have one in mind but not sure if im allowed to post his name here. but anyways – in ga he can prob get off the list depending on the level they give him… in fla i dont think so – hed prob have to wait the 25 yrs or whatever it is now. and if he moves, hed have to check the laws in that state as well.
Hello I can help here. Back in 2003 when I was 23 years old I had a girl I met online for a 1 night stand lie about her age she said she was 18, her profile said she was 18 but she was actually 14. Yes I had sex with her brought her back home she looked and acted the part and it was on a Wednesday night during school but she was a drop out from school.
Yes she admitted to lying however it was still a crime and I was charged. Anyways fast forward I got a adjudication withheld. This was the best outcome I could’ve hoped for aside from them dropping the charges but fat chance that was going to happen. With this I wasn’t a felon which is HUGE!!!! I was able to get jobs at Wells Fargo, Citi bank, Bank of America and other places because their background checks stopped at felony convictions and was able to lead a somewhat normal life in Florida.
I did a lot of research around the country on places I could move to and not appear on their states registry and I chose Washington State Around Seattle area. I moved here almost 4 years ago and was able to be a Level 1 which I almost guarantee your son will be a Level 1 if he moved here or a state with similar laws. I do NOT appear on any websites where my address is listed.
Washington state you can ask to be let off their Sex offender registry at 15 year mark which I’m eligible for and will be asking soon. This state already has extremely lax sex offender laws for level 1 as it is they stop by my house once a year I sign a piece of paper and its over with. I only need to inform them when I move or get a new job Aside from that they leave me alone and I’m in no way shape or form a priority to them. Once I’m off the registry here (again I’m not listed on the Washington state registry they only list 2’s and 3s).
Now the downside….yes there’s a downside. Florida still has me listed and it says I moved to Washington. It does NOT list my address so if you were to google my name Florida puts me in Washington but they listed the wrong town where I move to and if I move around I do not need to update Florida to which town. While its not perfect life its MUCH better than the one I had in Florida.
Washington only lists 33% of sex offenders everybody else is a level 1. Oregon lists only I believe 10% of their offenders however Oregon is trying to change things up and get more on the online registry but I think your son could still live a normal life there even with the changes they are proposing.
I personally will be challenging Florida at the 25 year mark to get off for at that time I can also prove that im of the registry in one state and lived just fine as help from their make believe laws they got going on there.
Mike you will want to re-read Washington’s law. You have to live 15 years crime-free in Washington before they remove you for an out of state conviction. So even though 15 years have passed since your conviction unless the time on regwas served in Washington you still have to register.
Still don’t get how they give you a bargain they were adamant to specifically “orally pronounce” sex offender (1990s) terms at sentencing that changes after the fact. Agreeing to register was ambiguous where we didn’t know what registering was and obviously open to more than 1 interpretation of the law. See “Rule Rule Lenity”
Under the rule of lenity when there are different rules of construction and it is not clearly pointed out from the information which construction is being plead to it must be construed most favorably to the defendant.
We clearly didn’t know what we were pleading to! HELP
What sucks is the cops read this and then you get arrested for some bogus reason and you beat the case but it reads if you get arrested for any misdemeanor or felony you won’t be able to submit it to the courts, look I have had it and I mean had it!!! I subscribe to this bull crap of a committee just to see if I can get help, well that isn’t happening nor am I ever going to be free from this nightmare so I’ve come up with a plan and it’s time to move forward with this plan
I have to tell you all that my time hased come. I will be one more name or label I should say.
You are entirely correct . I just went through that . Someone a few door down three years ago called the police because he found out I was on the registry made up a story had me arrested, printed out all the information from the registry site handed it to the police officer when he made the report. I was arrested ,booked. When all the information was revealed the case was dismissed but the arrested is still on my record.it was used against me when I applied for removal from the registry.
did you try to fight that with an attorney? you were arrested but the charges dismissed so its not really valid??
Nina26
I did not have an attorney didn’t think I needed one. The original offense was in Kansas and I was removed from the registry after 10 yrs. but now live in Missouri which they say I’m required to stay on the registry for 25 yrs or life , not sure how they classify it. Nobody seems to know for sure. So I went back to Kansas to get the original offense expunged. The DA there would not do it so took it to a judge . The DA brought up the arrest that was thrown out and said because of that I was still a threat to society. I explained how the original charges were false For which I was asking expungement and that the arrest in Missouri was thrown out. The Judge said I was not remorseful enough and because of the other arrest he could not expunge the original offense.
Yeah David I had the same thing happened to me and now I have a double whammy where I was convicted out of they were supposed to remove me from the registry due to my charge was not a register offense in 2008 well I moved out of that state and moved to South Carolina and they told me that if Indiana has removed my name then they would do so also well I moved to Florida and contacted South Carolina and they tell me that I need to send them proof that my iOS is not considered a good enough or secure device to send. Stuff. So I sent them the same documents through my Mac and now they won’t even respond. And then Florida fdle saids due to the fact even though indiana removed me South Carolina hasn’t and neither has Florida .
I dont get it. I got arrested for a failure to register but they filed a no information as it was their error. Never even saw a judge or any court dates other than a bond whwre i was ror’d. It was a no information so that is gonna keep me from getting off this? They didnt even file charges.
speak with your attorney
Im pretty sure a good attorney can work around no billed stuff but finding one that doesnt just extort you is another thing. I spent 4 k trying to get civil rights restored. After 1.5 years of monthly “we are making progress call back next month” I called Tallahasse to discover no restoration app had been filed. I confronted the attorney who said he was working with a lobbyist and it was closely guarded information and had I contributed to any campaigns. I was like you better give me my money and file back. He sent me a check for a few hundred dollars and a folder that had only a single newspaper clipping in it.
I have a question about removal? I was convicted of possession of child pornography by a court martial in 2003 (in Norfolk, Va.). I registered in Florida upon my release from my sentence in Norfolk, Va. I moved out of the country, no longer live in the U.S., 10 years ago. I am not a U.S. citizen and do not plan on ever going to the U.S. again. Could I petition for removal from the sex offender registry? If so, how would I go about it?
There is a lawsuit that we are trying to fund called the “Out of State Challenge” that would offer you relief (if won).
How much funding is needed for this law suit? My husband would be interested in participating if possible.
There is a thermometer on our Donation Page. We have a goal of $25,000 and have raised $58xx so far.
It breaks my heart to see how many people are going through the same thing my fiance is.
He was convicted of possession of child porn that he had started looking at when he was in highschool of girls close to his age and stopped at 21 in total he only had 20 videos.
I have been with him for almost 7 years with a child on the way.
He is working with a therapist and attorney still, while on probation for the next 6 years!
And life time registry….I am at a loss for words because I spend my days trying to find anything to make our life easier. He has a good job here and all I want to do is move to a house in Palm Beach county and can’t seem to find anything that fits his restrictions that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg…. I find myself more dissapointed the more time I spend researching because I have read everyone say how awful it is being on the registry …. I am still just speachless that everything seems nearly impossible to having a semi normal life for our child in Florida… I wanna move but we both have family here that love us and support us… And finding a new job seems impossible without connections…. This sucks for everyone who has to register, to be labeled, to be ostrasized from society, and an additive of making it a living hell because having this lable isn’t “enough”…I wish there was something that could be done…I spend countless hours trying to find loopholes or good stories and end up empty-handed and heartbroken …. I wish you ALL the best in trying to find a good life in this effed up society…..
A.W.
You are not alone… I am and have been dealing with the same situation as you are. My fiancé and I met through yahoo 2010. I did not know anything about his situation or his past until his daughter or ex-wife found out about us on Facebook. As we been seeing each other and then out of nowhere message come through my inbox message on Facebook and the person who claim to be his daughter talking or the ex talking. I been told that I am taking too much of his time and his daughter was like 16 years old at that time then she said to me did you know that he is RSO. I was like what you mean and that is when I found out that he is registered sexual offender and my whole world came down crashing. I told him and asked him about it and sure did he cried so hard and didn’t want me to find out. I didn’t know what his crime was or what tier level he is. As he told me all about it and I told him that it will be hard and my family will never accept him because of his background and felony record of being sexual offender. He begged me not to leave him and he has no one and not even anyone who willing to give him another chance of LIFE.
As our relationship begins and we been together for soon to be 10 years, never been married or have any kids with each other but he does have two daughters from his first wife. His charges happened in Michigan and when he moved to Florida and NO ONE I mean NOT EVEN his lawyers or sheriff department told him that he will have to register if he leaves state. He did not know and he was 20 at that time and his charges happened when he was 18 and the girl lied about her age and she was 16. You know how parents are so her parents filed compliant against him. He pleaded guilty and did 2 years probation. The last time he went jail for one year and 1 month. It’s long story and the person he was with had roommate that was dealing crack and he told that he can’t do this and he is on probation, However the roommate that he asked to leave turned around and made up some story about him and had neighbor son to c call the police and told them about him and all. Oh boy I tell you all the evidences that they gathered up were tossed out because he had more witnesses and the person didn’t even show up to testify against him. Therefore; the judge charged him with child abuse and he did one year and 1 month in correctional faculty in Marion County Florida which was far from home like I would say about 5 or 6 hours drive and none of his family every visit, he got one letter and one phone call for a year and never heard from his family.
I have fought with my family and he has too as they were not willing to give him a chance to get to know him. Lot of times my family have invited me to family gathering like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and any holidays that we get together for and I declined lot of them as I told them if he can’t come and I am not coming without him, I just felt that what they did to him was not right and I understand that his background is in Black and White print of being SEXUAL OFFENDER and felt he shouldn’t be around kids, go to parks where there is playground. I have told my family that I have done a lot of researches of Sexual offenders and their crimes. I even pulled up Family Watch Dog website and read about color codes and the level of crimes each Sexual Offender and Predator. I have fought with my family for 2 years since he and I been together and I stood by him all the way and still with him on this day as for November will be our 10 years anniversary and we have not gotten married yet, because he wants to be off the registry list and have normal life and his rights back along with his life back without having to register every 6 months.
When he went to check in every 6 months and he checked in last month and the FDLE told him that he has been doing this for almost 10 years and has not even re-offend and stayed out of trouble since he was released from correctional faculty and told him he has good chance of getting off registry, BUT he has to go Michigan to do that as they said that’s where it is from and they can’t do anything here in Florida and they told him that he is no longer Michigan’s problem and he is in Florida and its lifetime registry.
Now he is looking to check with Michigan Law there and Florida Law, so that means he has to get attorney to look into his case.
He said that I am the reason that he has not been back to jail, and I pushed him to get job to show them that he isn’t danger to society and shouldn’t be danger to anyone., He is tier 1 sexual offender.
I wish everyone the best on whatever they trying to do to get off the registry list and got to keep on fighting to get your rights back and your life back. I hope it works out for everyone who is dealing with this situation and I know my fiancé is fighting all the way and will not give up.
So my question would be what if you were never designated as a sex offender by the court of law but by FDLE adjudication withheld back in 1992 attempted sexual battery it was not till after I was released from probation in 2000 that I had to register believe me if I knew then what I know now I would have never taken a plea deal
If you were on probation when the registry was enacted (1997) you are required to register.
You MIGHT be eligible for removal 20 years after release from probation if you have no other arrests.
Hello, FAC,
How is it that someone MIGHT be eligible for removal after 20 years if on SOR when enacted in 1997 and fall under all criteria for eligibility to petition for removal but isn’t it 25 years now? Was there a ruling on a SPECIFIC CASE that would entitle CERTAIN people who meet specific criteria to petition if under the original 20 year rule? I put in CAPS so other folks don’t assume it applies to ALL as their is specific criteria? Thank you ??
If you have SPECIFIC questions, you should speak with your attorney. FAC is not a law firm.
12 years ago, the removal provision was extended from 20 years to 25.
And don’t just speak with any attorney. Speak with the FAC-referred attorney who successfully dealt with this question in court, or one who has knowledge of the case or is willing to find it.
Speak to just any attorney and you may get a more conventional (but incorrect) answer to this question, such as, “no one comes off the Florida registry for any reason ever.”
Someone who committed their offense prior to 7/1/2007, when the standard was changed from 20 years to 25, shouldn’t be subject to a changing of the goalposts. That was the argument successfully made by an attorney in FAC’s referral list.
Correct, Jacob. The FDLE even tried to challenge this and lost.
I have been on the Tennessee Sex Offender registry for 11 yrs and have been recently release from having to register. 7 or 8 yrs ago I registered in Sarasota and I’m still on the registry in Fla. Why?
Because Florida keeps everyone (including temporary visitors) on it’s registry for life. We are fundraising for a challenge to that. Look for our “Out of State Challenge” to see the progress.
My son took a vacation to Florida with us and went to register as he was told to do . He became
Very ill and left , he was only in state 2 days , I called and reported that he was leaving no one said anything about him being on the register there til eternity and they never took him off , he should not be on the registry if only being there 2 days , I think at the time it was 5 days . He was lied to by a girl who was visiting our resort area in Ohio , I saw her drinking
With her mother as it even states in the police report that she drank 9 Smirnoffs , she came to our campsite with the owners granddaughter who was 19-20 and I would never have guessed that she wasn’t the same age , she came with a drink in hand and I would have sent her away had I thought otherwise. He left the next day when a girlfriend came to pick him up . This girl who said she was abused by him came to our lake house for the next day and s half asking when he was coming back? Who looks up her
” abuser”? I was there for the next three weeks no police came to question me and then it’s in the paper . The police report is a joke they questioned her and asked if she was penetrated she said she didn’t know , she said when asked if she asked him to stop , yes but I don’t think he heard me . Because a band was playing so loud . Then vindictively at the end of her report she said and he knew I was 15 ! His lawyer told me I did not have to appear In court because my son would not even be there which was totally wrong , I should have been there so I could have told this story .
They made him agree to be on the register or face 10 years ! He was alone and scared and sorely
Misrepresented! But here we are
He has tried to commit suicide twice , he now suffers from
Extreme depression and says constantly , “My life is ruined “!
He had ADHD and his maturation
Always ran behind by a few years
He has had other problems which he has paid for , prison gave him Hep c , MRSA for which he was taken to a local hospital and transferred to a bigger hospital 2 hours away his infection was so bad . He now uses drugs and I fear everyday will be his last , this jealous girl should be the one who is punished she Has ruined my son’s life . When asked by the police why were you out at 2am she said, ” I had to go to the bathroom”! Please give us any information you have so we can get some relief for him .
Beverly – he needs an attorney. If he can prove he never triggered the obligation to register, there is a possibility he can get relief.
There are attorney referrals on our site.
He had an attorney who got him to agree to be on the register because they threatened him with jail time of 10 years. This happened in 2007 but I wonder if after 12 years it’s too late to ask for an appeal. Still in Florida he should not be listed since he was in state only 2 days.
What Attorney can I talk to about that ?
Thanx
On the issue of having to register in Florida for a two-day visit, check the attorney referral information on this site.
This used to be 10 years
was this finish line then moved to 20?
” Tearful Eagle on February 8, 2019 at 4:02 pm
98-02: Guidelines to Florida Sex Offender Laws December 18, 1998
This is what i found under 98.02
Sexual Offender/Predator Designations:
• A sexual predator who was designated a sexual predator by a court before October 1, 1998 and who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision or sanction for 10 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor since release, may petition the court for removal of the designation. A sexual predator or sexual offender who was designated by a court on or after October 1, 1998, and released from supervision or confinement for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, may petition the court for removal of the sexual offender/predator designation.
Look I am new to looking at this so dont count in me I am just thinking outloud.”
T.O.M.
Were you asking me a question? As far as I know originaly it was 10, then 20, then 25 and now life. My offense predates the registry so who knows.
But the subjected former RSO is off and happy for him. We all need to keep working. No one ever thought the Berlin wall would fall and it did.
It bull after almost 20 never been arrested not even a ticket agood job and almost ready to buy a home they come check on him and put him in jail because all the cars in drive way he did not report some are family members that are here because my dad is really sick the law sucks especially when you was engaged to the victim and because you decide not to marry her she acuse you of rap concern so everyone that comes from out of town to visit for a week has to go register there vechical bunch of bull crap they need to go after reoffender and leave those who finally have gotten to go on to trying to get their life back and a good job and been out of trouble for 20 years
if he violates before he petitions, its unfortunate.
Not so unfortunate, if the Ex Post Facto Plus Challenge succeeds at, say, invalidating the vehicle law. Then it would be harder for the state to argue that he violated.
(If the challenge is fully successful, of course, there will not even be a need to petition, but I realize that sometimes we score partial victories).
Had an arrest but all dropped as it was their error. It was a filing of no information so notveven an arraignment. Hoping that doesnt kill my hope. Offense in 1996. Made mistake of coming to fl 2016.
So is it 10 years or 20 years?
This is a copy and paste from 1998, 943.0435, subsection 11 statue:
11) A sexual offender must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual offender has had his or her civil rights restored or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a postconviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration. However, a sexual offender who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit in which the sexual offender resides for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender.”
It seems to me that if the courts are going to allow this, then they should not be able to exclude the rest of this section, correct?
question…
A sexual offender must maintain registration with the department for the duration of his or her life, unless the sexual offender has had his or her civil rights restored or has received a full pardon or has had a conviction set aside in a post conviction proceeding for any felony sex offense that meets the criteria for classifying the person as a sexual offender for purposes of registration
what about adjudication withheld
Adjudication Withheld is the same as a conviction for purposes of the registry.
To All,
I just spoke with Mr. Kleiner and he stated that this case was argued based on this individuals release from sanctions.
Doesn’t the fact that they wrote “20 yrs, UNLESS you were arrested for any crime period” prove that they just want to keep people on the registry? What would reckless driving, or driving on a suspended, or even failure to register have to do with your risk to re offend. I could understand it saying being “convicted of a violent or sexual offense. Is there anything being done about the bogus issue and law making when it comes to 943.0435?
It says “arrested”.
well I know it’s not written like that, but that’s what it means. What about the question? lol
It cannot be used as “proof” that they want to keep people on the registry.
no other state holds a simple arrest against u…that’s screwed up yo
Even if a filing of no information was made by the district atty and no charges nor proceedings were filed? Its not that they were dropped it was a filing of no information.
It says arrest FOR a felony or misdemeanor. Arrests that ultimately come to nothing, do not count against you in the law.
Their wording is unnerving seeming to incinuate an arrest not a conviction. So vague
Kenneth,
I completely agree with your post. The Florida Legislators pass registration Laws that make it extremely difficult for some registrants to live without violating the law for the 20-25 year duration. Then, if you have been “arrested” for any reason, you spend the rest of your life on the registry. The truth is, The State of Florida receives Millions of Dollars per year in federal grants for the registry. I believe that’s why the State keeps the registry so bloated. Its all about Money and Votes at the end of the day…
Here is another copy and paste from 2007 :
“(6) County and local law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with the department, shall verify the addresses of sexual offenders who are not under the care, custody, control, or supervision of the Department of Corrections in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and any other federal standards applicable to such verification or required to be met as a condition for the receipt of federal funds by the state. Local law enforcement agencies shall report to the department any failure by a sexual offender to comply with registration requirements.”
If you look through the Statues, there are many references to Federal Funding. The Courts and Law Enforcement are commanded to comply with Federal Law. Sex Offenders are an asset to the State, one in which they do not want to lose…
Yes they do after 20 years they coming to arrest my husband for stupid things they really need to get a life his had no problem they even said he has be a ghost not even a ticket and now every time they come they have something new why they arrested him
Kenneth, can you provide a link to that information? I can’t seem to find any info on duration. The ex post facto lawsuit mentions that the 1997 statue was silent in regards to the duration of registering.
you are correct. There was no mention of a time of registration in 1997
“He argued they can’t move the finish line”. It seems to me that the court did not apply the law ex post facto to this individual. I wish I could know where the starting line was in the case. Offense date or end of sanctions?
Your clock starts running at the end of sanctions; that is whenever you were finished with probation.
NOT the arrest date
NOT the conviction date
NOT changing from ankle bracelet monitoring to probation
It is from the date/year that you were let off all county/State Restrictions. When you were set free (per se)
So if they took you OFF PROBATION/ Completed Probation in 1997 Thats when your clock starts.
If you completed probation in 2000, that is when your clock starts.
IF you are still ON PROBATION (2019) you have to wait till you are off probation for your clock to start.
screw the state of florida…I moved to Colorado springs and was removed from the sex offender registry because of the time..15 yrs…florida is the worst of the worst…funny thing is if I come back to florida I go back on the registry..its people like ron book who make florida a pos to live in as a sex offender
yes i am in a similar situation in another state, however the Florida registry continues to block employment in my industry, international travel and any background check that is done it will come up and people don’t care about which state. the reality is i’m not “off” until Florida says i’m “off.” the big thing for me is I still cannot pass a background check and I am still unable to work a permanent, decent, gainful job and support myself. I hustle and work temp and do what i can but it’s far from being able to survive on my own. WE CAN’T FORGET ABOUT THE CASE THAT NEEDS SUPPORTING REGARDING THIS ISSUE. (didn’t mean to yell… 🙂 FAC’s Out of State Lawsuit needs funds!
I put money there too… Problem is not too many people know of the issues here. I think there were an article(weekly report) a few weeks ago that F.A.C posted that some person or Org. did an audit on the Register people in Florida Maybe can used that article to get the argument going maybe reach out to those people for help. Give me the name and phone and I call them myself even though I have hard time hearing on phone I be glad to help start the lawsuit
rpsabq perhaps try a simple name change in your state
OMG i never thought of that! LOL. the registry, of course, would follow the new name, if a judge would even let me. Also background checks go by your social security number among other things.
Question I have been on the registry since 1998 and I was charged with lewd and lascivious acts on a minor and it was withheld adjudication and if I were to move to Colorado would I be able to get off the registry as well and I never had any restrictions on me
If you are asking about removal in Florida. Have you been off probation for at least 20 years with no subsequent offense?
The answer to getting off the registry in Colorado is probably “no”. If you were required to register in your state of original offense, you are required to register in Colorado.
From the state web site:
Convicted of an offense in another state or jurisdiction for which the person, as a result of the conviction, is, was, has been, or would be required to register if he or she resided in the state or jurisdiction of conviction, registration is required there or in Colorado, so long as such person is a temporary or permanent resident of Colorado.
The Colorado SOR has been declared “unconstitutional” in Federal Court however that ruling has been challenged by several State’s AG’s including Colorado.
Sorry there is no better news. Someone might. E able to offer better news on states that have already lost their fight and have been ordered to rewrite. Michigan comes to mind.
wait, how did you get off the registry in florida?
but you’re still on the registry in Florida, mcclure. you’re just shown as out of state in colorado. just like the rest of us out of state.
what about people who were charged and convicted of failure to register. Do you feel there could be a possibility that once people start getting removed, that they would change that language from “haven’t been arrested for any crime” to “convicted of a violent or sexual offense.”?
What MY greatest concern is, if they take your name off “the list” and you do everything you are supposed to do (change license w/no identifying markers– take all cars that dont belong to you off the list)
Then some”yah-hoo cop” who knows you pulls you over and says you didnt register, no ID mark on license, EVEN THO YOU ARE OFF THE LIST, will arrest you and throw you in jail.
OR….
They will say that the State says that, but Indian River County didnt implement that.
WOW, this is getting some attention. Can you tell me if it was a Romeo and Juliet case? Or was he on for 20 years with not getting arrested once? It has not been 25 yrs since the registry started in Oct 97 for him to be on for 25 yrs, so I’m guessing 20. Can you tell a little more about the circumstances?
Not R&J – 20 years with no arrest.
Call in to the monthly member call in March – Ron Kleiner will be guest
I had emailed Ron K. I was told from the day you finished your sentence. I got 11 and 1/2 years to go unless FAC beats it on ex facto suit
It’s been established that the clock starts on the day you finish your sentence. I’ve been told by Ron K that he’s getting tons of calls from people asking the same question. Please, he’s not employed by FAC, so lets not bombard him with calls asking questions that have been answered here.
The clock starts once you complete your judicial sanction. That’s current law, and Ron Kleiner has successfully argued that it does not apply to those whose offenses pre-date current law (i.e., 7/1/2007 as Jz pointed out).
Ron successfully argued that for his client, the clock started…when? When he is released from prison only, or when he completed all judicial sanction?
Either no one here knows, or I’m bad at paying attention, or we just have to wait for next month’s call!
You are not paying attention. It is when they are completely done with all sanctions, whether that’s prison, jail, house arrest, supervised release, community control, probation, parole, etc.
Below is the statute
“However, a sexual offender who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction, whichever is later, for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release may petition the criminal division of the circuit court of the circuit in which the sexual offender resides for the purpose of removing the requirement for registration as a sexual offender.”
20 or 25 years is still a “dead man walking” sentence. Registration should run concurrent with probation or for a defined period (10 years or less) if you were “lucky” enough not to have to do probation. Registration is just another form of probation anyway.
So I can petition when I’m 60 instead of 65, big whoopee. Irrelevant since no one will hire a 60 year old anyway,
Interesting comment as the legislature is debating ‘when is a sentence complete.’ Stay tuned for this year legislature to try and hold out the Amendment 4 voting Act for felons. Apparently some feel it only ends when all repayment conditions have been completed.(And who has the records for that.)
Also some feel that ‘murder’ needs to be defined but if some manslaughter sentences are not included in murder, then how can all include ‘felony sexual offender, as many are not sexual contact in nature, and, definitely who is to define these.
Getting someone removed from the Florida SOR does not have to be complicated, and it does not always require a lawyer. The case of a friend of mine was referred to an attorney, but, after a minimum amount of research, the lawyer gave up without success. I did not. I wrote several letters to both Virginia, the state of the original offense, and Florida FDLE. Florida said that this person is on the SOR in Florida only because Virginia wants him to be there. I wrote to Virginia authorities and posed that question: “If this individual were living in Virginia now, would he have to register?” They answered in the negative. I faxed that response to the Florida FDLE, and my friend came off the registry within the week. Don’t get discouraged. Never give up. Force the authorities to respect their own rules.
could you tell me who i need to speak with? my husband has a court order proving he’s off the registry (he’s no longer on any registries) and now he is trying to move to fla and fdle is still asking him to register.
please write to [email protected]
i wrote to the [email protected]….. how long does it take for a response?
Yanina – You are seeking legal counsel. We are not a law firm. It is my understanding that you’ve made the same request with FAC, NARSOL and other advocacy groups. You’ve contacted the attorney referrals on our website and have a consultation with one of them tomorrow. At some point you should find ONE attorney you are happy with and go with them.
If any of them would know HOW to help me – I would go with them. None have known in which steps to proceed. This is a very unique case that has never been dealt with before. There is NO statutes that deal with this case.
We shall see what happens with the apt tomorrow.
Out of state registation is not right. I live in the state where the offense occurred and I no longer have register as an SO
I have received your inquiry and will respond later today.
Thanks.
Cary
Cary, its hard to believe Florida would remove someone if they were no longer required to register in virginia unless its been 25 years, because thats their crazy rule. How did you accomplish this?
FAC disseminates useful information that allows thousands of registrants to comply with the law more effectively. They can do so without having to resort to legal advice, which of course we leave to the lawyers.
In the present case, the excellent Ron Kleiner appears to have successfully argued that when it comes to petitioning off the registry, the statute that was in effect at the time of one’s offense, should govern when one is eligible for consideration. The statute governing eligibility changed in 2007. So if you committed a crime in 2008, the law says you must wait 25 years from the end of your judicial sanction period (not 25 years from 2008) to be eligible. But if you committed a crime in 2006, then you must wait 20 years (from what, I don’t recall, might just be 20 years from release into the community). And if you committed a crime in 2007, as someone alluded to below, we don’t quite know, because we don’t know when in 2007 the new statute went into effect, but whoever is able to recover that information, good on ya.
Anyway, I’m just rehashing what the law is. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney, obviously.
What if my offense occurred in 1991 then what
Jacob, do you know for a fact that the court went by the offense date in this case?
FAC, would it be possible to post the offense date and punishment imposed on this individual?
Please correct me if I’m wrong but the 1997 statue did not mention any duration of registering. I believe this 20 year provision was added in 1998. My offense date is April of 1998 so I think I would be subject to the 1997 statue. If I’m not mistaken, the federal law was 10 years in 1997. Does anyone have an opinion on what this might mean for individuals in my situation?
To all,
I understand that Florida adopted the “registry in 1996”, and since then has moved the time you can petition to get off the registry every couple of years since then.
I, like everyone else wants to be off this damned thing YESTERDAY. In another thread FAC has posted the years that all of the laws were changed/amended.
The “time limits” START when you are finally off ALL probation (minus the 1-3-6-12 month checks).
The information is in the FAC files. Please look them up. FAC is limited on funds and resources to track down threads that you can research for yourself.
FAC CANNOT AND WILL NOT GIVE ANY LEGAL ADVICE. They (FAC) has posted on many different threads, in many different areas, what the dates were that the laws were changed, restrictions added, for the State and several different Counties.
Seeing that most of these posts are asking for some kind of “legal advice” (ex. i was in 97.. I got off in 2007; what about me–I was convicted in 2005…..) That FAC has repeatedly said “contact your attorney”.
I would suggest that BEFORE YOU POST, Please READ the posts in the thread before your’s, you will probably get your answer from that.
ALSO, seeing that FAC CANNOT give ANY legal advice, and thru their commitment to the “community” they are posting the LAW– they advise you to contact an attorney.
WE NOW have an attorney who will look thru your case for consideration, and by my talking to him he will not charge you until he accepts your case. This is the same attorney who WON this case that this thread is about.
Atty. Ron Kliener
(954) 540-0170
He will be better off giving you better advice than FAC.
(it is just getting redundant to see the same kind of posts, day after day)
I know you want off “this list” just as bad as I do. GO to the attorney, he will talk to you. You will get what you need as far as info goes.
FAC CANT.
Sean
Thank you for the good information I always appreciate your input. But not everyone here is asking for legal advice . The SOR laws are so complex and contradictory from state to state nobody seams to have a solution to figuring out how to make sense of or any harmony between these laws and restrictions. By hearing others personal delemmas were better able to try and find the path that’s right for us individually. Please don’t try to squash dialogue.
All comments help to reaffirm our convictions to fight this evil.
To Sean:
Yes I would like to point out that yeah some of us are seaking legal advise but we shouldn’t have too the system was set up by the government and none of it is uniform so how come other laws like stealing or murder or anything that is illlegal almost the same in any other state ? But sex offenses aren’t ? So my opinion is that yes we need legal advice and I would like to talk to your attorney, but I know it’s going to be a lot of money, that I don’t have , so again the laws here are basically being a federal sanctions so the smart office is the one who give the other states their grant money to put the sex offender registry and laws into affect so how come the federal court or government can’t step in and make this all the same ? I’m not gripping at you just asking if anyone feels the same , and the smart office is rubbed by the FBI , but try emailing them and watch what kind of response you get , this what I’m saying we live in the United States so the laws should be united and if you got you case in 1997 or if you got it in 2007 then what ever was the sanctions during that era then that’s what we should be under no other crime do they do a retroactive change to the law and get away with that, so why should Sex crimes be that way ? I understand that some sex crimes are worse than others and I also know that not all of our victims are 16 but I keep getting told that this is not a federal problem but I disagree, if you move from the state you are convicted from and the other state makes you do what that state has for that law and the sanctions are far worse than the one you got from the original state, then yes the federal government should step in and make it the same. I’m saying is that I can go and get convicted for murder and do my time get out do parole. Move to another state and be done with it but us on the other hand we have to relive this twice a year for the rest of our lives. Their is no uniformly is the sex laws. I’m sorry but this my way of venting cause I’ve been dealing with this since 1997. So please excuse me. Ok and thanks
Donald,
I am not trying to be a “patty Party Pooper”. You just cant write a letter to the FBI and say…
Hi. Im Sean and I would like to be taken off the sex offender list in Fla.
You would need a letter from an attorney costing thousands of dollars; multiple pages
And Donald, I am far from rich…. I make $1,100/month and pay a mortgage, plus meds for my Stage 4 COPD.
I have $1K saved. I have till 1-2020 or after to get the amount of $10K.
And again, the “CLOCK FOR CLEMENCY” only starts after you have been off ALL TYPES OF PROBATION.
NOT date of arrest, or date of conviction.
This is just for Florida.
Sean D,
It does NOT go by your “offense date”, It goes by the date that you completed ALL of your probation, house arrest, therapy and any other legal restriction they put you on at the time of your sentencing.
I was arrested 4-94, plead out 2-95, and was off all paper in 1-2000. THAT is when the clock starts. Mine is a 20 year wait.
You are correct
What if you did your time and got out in December 2015, no probation, no paper, nothing?
Gary,
I only know of what I know about myself.
For a much more concrete, definitive answer, PLEASE CALL
Ron Kliener 954-540-0170
It did mention 20 yrs in 1997. You could be removed also if you had your civil rights restored, but they changed it in 1998 to a full pardon. When the launched the website the had the word DANGER! in capital letters and sirens flashing around my head. It was quite traumatic and brutal
Kenneth, can you provide a link to that information? I can’t seem to find any info on duration. The ex post facto lawsuit mentions that the 1997 statue was silent in regards to the duration of registering.
Hi all I just look up this wettering act and Florida has done what my state did to me so I’m am so screwed but I have provided Florida with a court document stating that I am no longer required to register but Florida says no. • A person who resides in Florida and who has been designated a sexual predator, a violent sexual predator or another sexual offender designation in another state with requirements to register or be subjected to community or public notification in that state is required to register as a sexual offender in the state of Florida. Only when the person provides FDLE with a court order issued by the court that gave the designation as a sexual predator or sexual offender which removes the designation and provided further that the person does not meet the criteria for registration as a sexual predator or sexual offender in the state of Florida, will the person’s requirement to register be removed. I did this and I’m still on the damm thing. And this guy gets off!! This is bind justice for sure. I have documents showing that I should of never been on the registry at all but hey I did it but this is crazy.
This person no longer met the requirements for registration in Florida.
If you feel you no longer meet the requirements, please contact your attorney.
Donald
I can sympathize with your frustration. I too was removed from the registry in 2007 from my offending state of Kansas with a letter stating that and that I am no longer required to register . But I now live in Missouri which has different laws and different requirements as to who has to register. I was listed with a misdemeanor offence in Kansas but at some point Missouri changed there laws making it a felony with a permanent registration. Ex post facto they say it applies to me even though ex post facto laws have been repeatedly struck down in Missouri courts. I’ve hired a lawyer but so far he hasn’t figured out how to get it back to court to challenge it.
Just wanted to add one of the reasons Missouri listed it as a felony was because Kansas had closed the books on the case they couldn’t get any details. So they had to make up there own.
Yes I too got the same but mine was a felony a class c felony but they don’t do class a , b, c,or d any more it’s tier 1-3 ( I think )
But what I am arguing about is that I was supposed to be removed from the registry prior to me moving and if that would of happened I would not have been required to register here. But I am giving up. I have just no more fight in me. Let alone the same offense that theses youngsters are getting and not having to register for their sex offense is the same as what I got hit for. Thank you for responding
Donald, you should contact your attorney or if you don’t have one, give Ron Kleiner a call and see what he says. A phone call for some feedback couldn’t hurt.
Let us hope this is one of many. But 20 to 25 years is preposterous. It should be once you finished your sentence and all the conditions of your sentence are met. Then you can petition the court or better yet it become automatic.
I agree Mary and thought the same. I finished my probation (released early) on all of the conditions including therapy. The courts always look to see if you finish the therapy successfully and therapy people always give the ” ok ” and say to the courts: this person is not a threat or danger to himself or to the public. Well, if I’m not a danger and released from probation, why do I still have to register for life as if I’m still a danger ? Nothing but a catch-22.
Agreed.
Agreed as well. That would be ideal.
MARY, you are incorrect! there should be no hit list period!!!
Hey all first time poster. So if he argued you cant move the goal line what about those of us pre 1997 that fall under the Weltering Act that said ten years
There is a lawsuit challenging that presently in the Southern District of Florida.
Welcome Tearful Eagle,
You have to be “off all paper”, in other words no probation. Monthly checks and 3-6 month checks dont count.
Age of “victim” over 13 yo.
NO further arrests since being off probation.
In other words, You have to be squeaky clean since being off probation.
I spent 20+ minutes talking to Ron Kliener. He isnt the type to talk over you, he listens. He doesnt care what you were accused of, he just wants the law to be brought “to heel” and that the lawmakers cant just move the “goal line” every couple of years. There has to be an END to this.
I am VERY confident in this guy Atty. Kliener. I am starting to save my money!
I KNOW that there are no guarantees in a court of law, but this is the best I have felt about this in decades.
Thank you for the welcome. Offense was before 1996. Been off paper since 12/2007. Time of my offense there was no Florida Sorna only law governing me was Weltering Act. 10 years and was in the Federal registry because Florida didnt have one. 2017 should have been my Freedom year. Tiny cracks shatter the glass. This victory is that crack. There has to be more out there like this victorious person.
Not following, Tearful.
Florida had a registry in 97. Anyone who was on probation at that time is on the registry.
I guess my point was this. Since my offense predates the registry in Florida when i was sentenced I was placed on the only registry possible which is the fed one unless i am mistaken. My question really is due to me falling under the Jacob Weltering Act shouldnt that be what I am held to? Intead Florida comes up with the first gen laws in 1997 which said I have to be on for 10 years after probation. That eneded in 2007. So 2017. Then in 2007 they moved the finish line on me to 2027. Then they moved it again to 25 years the to life.
If the argument for the person who got relief is that they moved the finish line should that apply to all?
You are mistaken – there is no federal registry. You are also mistaken about the Florida Statutes.
No worries all i know is in march of 1996 I was sentenced. The stated tjT i had to register as an so. If there was not a Florida registry at the time i am not sure what he was talking about.
Tearful, I was told 10 as well by my lawyer and probation officer.
98-02: Guidelines to Florida Sex Offender Laws December 18, 1998
This is what i found under 98.02
Sexual Offender/Predator Designations:
• A sexual predator who was designated a sexual predator by a court before October 1, 1998 and who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision or sanction for 10 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor since release, may petition the court for removal of the designation. A sexual predator or sexual offender who was designated by a court on or after October 1, 1998, and released from supervision or confinement for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, may petition the court for removal of the sexual offender/predator designation.
Look I am new to looking at this so dont count in me I am just thinking outloud.
Good point. Very good point!
that means if you were a predator then you use to be able to challenge it after 10 yrs. Now it is automatic lifetime as a predator, and you cannot challenge the designation to become an “offender”
Man….lucky bastard!..lol That is great for the individual and wonderful job by attorney Ron Kleiner. Hope we can all get that same feeling some day.
Finally a person that gets relief with that provision. I was wondering many times if there were ever such a case and couldn’t find any. Truly happy for the person. No more registering or anything.
I have to wait about 20 years to meet that provision.
But wait, this is a provision to the original 1997 Statute. We’re not at 25 years yet. Did this guy get the Court to allow for 20 years since that was the law at the that time?
yes
I had been arrested for a failure to register but they filed a no information and didnt pursue. No charges. Did they screw me? Does that now mean i cant do this?
You should speak with your lawyer.
Is this the first case brought to a Court under the provision?
Is it safe to say that a positive outcome regarding the ex post facto case would also give back to some of us the requirement of 20 years rather than 25. Year 2000, I think, is when that changed.
Any idea which county, judge and prosecutor it involved? The way the statute reads, a Court must first agree to consider the case, using certain requirements as their guideline, then the original prosecuting attorney (if still there) is the one assigned to it and then both he/she and the judge must agree. Even with the provision, there exists a lot of “ifs.”
That’s good news! Thanks Ron Kleiner. I’ll be researching to find if there is anyone else. We’re two years now into the 25. (1997).
I’m sorry I can’t add. 1997 means we’re only 22 years from the original statute itself!? So this guy really did pull a miracle. Hmmmm…
prior to 2007 it was 20 years. He argued they can’t move the finish line.
He argued in THIS case that they can’t move the finish line, and that argument prevailed and resulted in the removal?
Or was the individual simply eligible under the newer (25 year) statute as well?
Prior to WHEN in 2007?
When in 2007 did the change become law? That actually matters in my case and to that of any others who committed a crime in…2007.
July 1, 2007.
So if your date of offense precedes this, you should be in the 20-year vice 25-year “relief” window. Of course you should be free of all the other requirements that have been piled on since then as well. But that’s another story.
If anyone is interested in knowing how I determined this, just ask.
It’s the first that’s come across our radar.
We do have the full case information but with the FORMER registrant getting out of the public eye, the last thing we want to do is put them back into it by bringing any attention to the case.
Yes – there are “ifs”. The prosecution does not need to agree but the judge obviously does. The statute reads the court “shall” consider – it’s discretionary whether it’s granted, not discretionary if the court considers it.
I will try to get Mr. Kleiner to speak on our member call next month.
Wow, this is huge! Thanks for the info!
” I will try to get Mr. Kleiner to speak on our member call next month.”
That would be great!! Thanks.
Interesting that offenses under s. 800.04.6 and .7 are not included. These are second degree felonies and not life or 1st degree. You would think that the statue would at least allow removal for those convicted of “less critical” offenses. Perhaps those two offenses were added after fs 943.0436 was enacted into law and should be revised.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they add more disqualifying offenses to the 25 year provision from now and years to come to prevent more people from getting relief. Imagine if you are close to the 25 year mark and they add your offense to the disqualifying list. That really blows. Hopefully in such a case, it can be argued similar to the – you can’t move the finish line of 20-25 year argument – .
@ABC
I think those offenses are the ones ( the ones of 2nd degree felonies you mentioned are subject for relief ( the list you are seeing for the provision is “disqualifying” offenses – the first degree ones and so on ) Interestingly, some second degree felonies which do have relief are included in the disqualifying list only with conditions, such as, if the courts find that the offense was forced or coerced or the victim was unclothed.
From any sanction…? Does this mean off probation/supervision? Or the date of the original offense?
Does this mean that is DOES NOT include required registration every 3-6-12 months (which IS a “sanction”)
Does this apply to only a small, minute group; like those caught peeing on a dumpster, or does it include sex-offenders and/or predators who meet the same criteria?
What are the “qualifying offenses”.???
But anyway—-YOU CAN GET OFF THE FLORIDA REGISTRY!!!!!
Problem is, None of us “regular people” will be able to afford the “tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars” to retain an attorney.
It should just be Mandatory to release, and off the list after 25 years
Sean – it’s release from probation.
The offenses include:
a. For a violation of s. 787.01 or s. 787.02;
b. For a violation of s. 794.011, excluding s. 794.011(10);
c. For a violation of s. 800.04(4)(a)2. where the court finds the offense involved a victim under 12 years of age or sexual activity by the use of force or coercion;
d. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(b);
e. For a violation of s. 800.04(5)(c)2. where the court finds the offense involved the use of force or coercion and unclothed genitals or genital area;
f. For a violation of s. 825.1025(2)(a);
g. For any attempt or conspiracy to commit any such offense;
h. For a violation of similar law of another jurisdiction; or
i. For a violation of a similar offense committed in this state which has been redesignated from a former statute number to one of those listed in this subparagraph.
FAC maybe I’m wrong, but these seem like the offenses that do not qualify for relief with the 25 year provision.
You are correct, Debbie.
in 2007 they changed the statute to 25 years and added the exclusions.
For offenses arising before October 1995 but after January 1, 1994, are those exclusions retroactive or retrospectively applied?
What if the offense is from 1995, would the excisions fall under the moving the goal line?
Thanks for the correction.
Also – it’s not “tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars”, Sean.
this is what is confusing to me
“This is what i found under 98.02
Sexual Offender/Predator Designations:
• A sexual predator who was designated a sexual predator by a court before October 1, 1998 and who has been lawfully released from confinement, supervision or sanction for 10 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor since release, may petition the court for removal of the designation. A sexual predator or sexual offender who was designated by a court on or after October 1, 1998, and released from supervision or confinement for at least 20 years and has not been arrested for any felony or misdemeanor offense since release, may petition the court for removal of the sexual offender/predator designation.”
i was designated between them dates and it is mute
” who was designated a sexual predator by a court before October 1, 1998″
and
“who was designated by a court on or after October 1, 1998”
but what about those in between
just my luck
I hope this person is removed and they do get their life back. However I know that in reality, this will never truly be the case. This is a major step forward though. The websites that scrape the data off the state websites may not remove him/her from their sites, however. Perhaps a name change after the removal, in a secret court would be in order due to the circumstances.